Characterisation of a monoclonal antibody and its use in the immunoaffinity purification of penicillin-binding protein 2'' of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The additional penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 2' that is important in determining intrinsic resistance in methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been purified by affinity chromatography using monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibody 1/423.10.351 reacted in ELISA with detergent extracts of membranes from resistant organisms, but not in immunoblots with PBP 2' separated by SDS-PAGE. Immunoprecipitation experiments showed that antibody 1/423.10.351 reacted with PBP 2' in detergent extracts. The latter antibody, covalently coupled to protein A-Sepharose through the Fc region, served as an affinity matrix to purify PBP 2'. The PBP was detected in immunoblots using a second monoclonal antibody, 2/401.43. Conjugation of this antibody with alkaline phosphatase afforded more rapid detection of PBP 2' for the immunological detection of PBP 2' both in affinity-purified fractions and in resistant strains.     

Construction and overexpression in Escherichia coli of genetically engineered derivatives of penicillin-binding protein 2' of Staphylococcus epidermidis

Abstract Removal of the putative amino-terminal membrane spinning region of penicillin-binding protein 2' (PBP-2') of Staphylococcus epidermidis WT55 was carried out by truncating the amino terminus-coding end of the mecA gene, PCR and site directed mutagenesis were used to introduce unique restriction sites at position 68 ( Hin dIII) and at position 80 ( Nco I) of the mecA gene, respectively. The coupling of the shortened coding regions to the trc promoter and gene fusion to the lacZ gene, aimed to facilitate subsequent protein purifications, resulted in strong expression in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli and partial sequestration into insoluble protein granules. The truncated PBP-2' retained its penicillin-binding ability and also bound the monoclonal antibody directed against PBP-2' of Staphylococcis aureus .     

In vitro activity of the antimicrobial peptide AP7121 against the human methicillin-resistant biofilm producers Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis

Abstract

In vitro activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm producers from blood cultures of patients with prosthetic hip infections was evaluated. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for AP7121 was determined and the bactericidal activity of AP7121 (MICx1, MICx4) against planktonic cells was studied at 4, 8 and 24?h. The biofilms formed were incubated with AP7121 (MICx1, MICx4) for 1 and 24?h. The anti-adhesion effect of an AP7121-treated inert surface over the highest MIC isolate was studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The bactericidal activity of AP7121 against all the planktonic staphylococcal cells was observed at 4?h at both peptide concentrations. Dose-dependent anti-biofilm activity was detected. AP7121 (MICx4) showed bactericidal activity at 24?h in all isolates. SEM confirmed prevention of biofilm formation. This research showed the in vitro anti-biofilm activity of AP7121 against MRSA and S. epidermidis and the prevention of biofilm formation by them on an abiotic surface.     

Degradation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilms using a chimeric lysin

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is responsible for a large number of chronic infections due to its ability to form robust biofilms. Herein, the authors evaluated the anti-biofilm activity of a Staphylococcus specific chimeric lysin ClyH on MRSA biofilms. ClyH is known to be active against planktonic MRSA cells in vitro and in vivo. The minimum concentrations for biofilm eradication (MCBE) of ClyH were 6.2–50?mg?l^?1, much lower than those of antibiotics. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed that ClyH eliminated MRSA biofilms through cell lytic activity in a time-dependent manner. Viable plate counts and kinetic analysis demonstrated that biofilms of different ages displayed varying susceptibility to ClyH. Together with previously demonstrated in vivo efficacy of ClyH against MRSA, the degradation efficacy against biofilms of different ages indicates that ClyH could be used to remove MRSA biofilms in vivo.     

Impact of biocides on biofilm formation by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ST239-SCCmecIII) isolates

Procedures of sterilization and disinfection are essential to ensure that medical and surgical instruments will not transmit infectious pathogens to patients. In the present paper, we tested the residual effect of these compounds on biofilm formation and its efficiency in disrupting preformed biofilms using methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates of the lineage ST239-SCCmecIII. All compounds examined, except 70% alcohol, caused a significant impairment in biofilm formation with concomitant inhibition of cell growth. Among the compounds examined, 10% povidone-iodine (PVP-I) was the only antiseptic that exhibited more than 90% reduction of both biofilm formation and dispersion. In the group of sterilants and disinfectants, a formulation containing 7% hydrogen peroxide and 0.2% peracetic acid (HP-PA), and sodium hypochlorite with 1% active chlorine (NaOCl) were equally effective.     

The combined effects of plasma and hydrogel coating on adhesion of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus to polyurethane catheters

Abstract The adhesion of three Staphylococcus epidermidis and three S. aureus clinical isolates, to uncoated and hydrogel-coated polyurethane catheters was tested, following pretreatment of catheters with human plasma. Plasma significantly decreased the adhesion of S. epidermidis strains to uncoated polyurethane catheters, but had no significant effect on the adhesion to hydrogel-coated catheters. The influence of plasma on adhesion of S. aureus strains to catheters was strain dependent. Plasma significantly increased the adhesion of one strain (SA6) to uncoated catheters. For two other strains (SA3 and SA14) plasma produced no clear effect on their adhesion to uncoated catheters; adhesion values for each strain showed either a small but significant increase or a replicate-dependent increase or decrease. However, plasma significantly increased the adhesion of all S. aureus strains to hydrogel-coated polyurethane catheters. Overall, with the exception of one batch culture of S. epidermidis strain SE3 tested, attachment to plasma-treated hydrogel-coated catheters was statistically significantly lower, by up to 85%, than attachment to plasma-treated uncoated catheters for both S. epidermidis and S. aureus .     

Lack of biofilm contribution to bacterial colonisation in an experimental model of foreign body infection by Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis

The contribution of in vivo biofilm-forming potential of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis was studied in an experimental model of foreign body infections. Increasing inocula (from 10(2) to 10(7) organisms) of ica-positive strains of S. aureus and S. epidermidis and their ica-negative isogenic mutants (the ica locus codes for a major polysaccharide component of biofilm) were injected into subcutaneously implanted tissue cages in guinea pigs. Surprisingly, bacterial counts and time-course of tissue cage infection by ica-positive strains of S. aureus or S. epidermidis were equivalent to those of their respective ica-negative mutants, in the locally infected fluids and on tissue-cage-inserted plastic coverslips.     

Polyclonal antibodies against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12 600 catalase do not recognize any protein in cellular extracts from S. aureus subsp. anaerobius

Rabbits were immunized with electrophoretically pure catalase from Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12 600. The antiserum was used to study whether S. aureus subsp. anaerobius was able to synthesize the apoprotein of catalase. Proteins were separated on polyacrylamide gels (SDS-PAGE) and transferred to nitrocellulose membranes and were detected by immunoblotting. No protein reacting with the purified immunoglobulins against S. aureus ATCC 12,600 catalase could be detected in crude and partially purified cellular extracts from S. aureus subsp. anaerobius or its aerotolerant mutants.     

百里香酚联合苯唑西林对耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)生物被膜的影响

【背景】耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus,MRSA)能以生物被膜的状态存在,从而产生多重耐药性和持续性感染。【目的】通过研究百里香酚和苯唑西林单用和联用对耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌生物被膜的形成抑制和清除作用,探究联合用药对MRSA生物被膜的影响,为临床联合应用抗MRSA药物提供理论依据。【方法】采用微量肉汤稀释法测定苯唑西林对MRSA标准菌株USA300的最低抑菌浓度;采用结晶紫染色法和菌落计数法评估百里香酚和苯唑西林单用和联用对USA300生物被膜形成抑制和清除作用。【结果】百里香酚和苯唑西林在亚抑菌浓度下对USA300生物被膜的形成具有一定的抑制作用。在较高浓度下,百里香酚对其24 h和72 h形成的生物被膜有良好的清除作用,而苯唑西林无清除作用。两药联用对生物被膜的抑制和清除作用进一步增强,在较低浓度下有较好的抑制和清除效果。【结论】百里香酚和苯唑西林联合用药与单独用药相比,对USA300的生物被膜的抑制和清除作用增强,两药联合有协同抗菌作用。     

Comparison of the Virulence of Methicillin-Resistant and Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus

The virulence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was compared with that of methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA), using 13 MRSA and 7 MSSA strains isolated from clinical specimens. The infectivity and lethality of the two groups were examined as to the inoculum required to infect 50% of guinea pigs (ID₅₀) and to kill 50% of mice (LD₅₀), respectively. The mean ID₅₀ [log₁₀ colony forming units (CFU)] for MRSA strains was 7.1 ± 0.60 standard deviation, which was 1.5 higher than that for MSSA strains (P < 0.001). The mean LD₅₀ (log₁₀ CFU) for MRSA strains was 9.0 ± 0.42, being 1.1 higher than that for MSSA strains (P = 0.001). Pretreatment of mice with cyclophosphamide decreased the mean LD₅₀ for MRSA strains more than that for MSSA strains, resulting in the difference in the mean LD₅₀ being insignificant (P = 0.502). These results indicate that MRSA is less virulent than MSSA in normal hosts, but that they are equally virulent in immunocompromised hosts. The growth of MRSA strains was much slower than that of MSSA strains in the lag phase, although their growth rates were almost the same in the exponential growth phase, suggesting that the difference in virulence between them may be at least partly due to such a difference in growth.     

A Heme-responsive Regulator Controls Synthesis of Staphyloferrin B in Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus possesses a multitude of mechanisms by which it can obtain iron during growth under iron starvation conditions. It expresses an effective heme acquisition system (the iron-regulated surface determinant system), it produces two carboxylate-type siderophores staphyloferrin A and staphyloferrin B (SB), and it expresses transporters for many other siderophores that it does not synthesize. The ferric uptake regulator protein regulates expression of genes encoding all of these systems. Mechanisms of fine-tuning expression of iron-regulated genes, beyond simple iron regulation via ferric uptake regulator, have not been uncovered in this organism. Here, we identify the ninth gene of the sbn operon, sbnI, as encoding a ParB/Spo0J-like protein that is required for expression of genes in the sbn operon from sbnD onward. Expression of sbnD–I is drastically decreased in an sbnI mutant, and the mutant does not synthesize detectable SB during early phases of growth. Thus, SB-mediated iron acquisition is impaired in an sbnI mutant strain. We show that the protein forms dimers and tetramers in solution and binds to DNA within the sbnC coding region. Moreover, we show that SbnI binds heme and that heme-bound SbnI does not bind DNA. Finally, we show that providing exogenous heme to S. aureus growing in an iron-free medium results in delayed synthesis of SB. This is the first study in S. aureus that identifies a DNA-binding regulatory protein that senses heme to control gene expression for siderophore synthesis.     

Impact of sar and agr on methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract The global regulators agr and sar control expression of cell wall and extracellular proteins. Inactivation of either sar and/or agr in a typical heterogeneously methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus resulted in a small but reproducible decrease in the number of cells in the subpopulation expressing high methicillin resistance. The amount of low affinity penicillin-binding protein PBP2', the prerequisite for methicillin resistance, was apparently not affected, however, a reduction in PBP1 and PBP3 production was observed, suggesting that these resident PBPs of the cells might be involved somehow together with PBP2' in high level methicillin resistance.     

长沙地区临床分离金黄色葡萄球菌的耐药监测

目的了解长沙地区临床分离金黄色葡萄球菌（以下简称金葡菌）对常用抗菌药物的耐药现状,探讨金黄色葡萄球菌对甲氧西林的耐药水平。方法收集长沙地区11家医院2009年11月至2010年11月临床分离的非重复金葡菌279株,应用Vitek-2全自动微生物分析系统进行鉴定,K-B法检测金葡菌对24种药物的敏感性,产色头孢菌素试验检测β-内酰胺酶以及D试验检测诱导型克林霉素耐药。应用头孢西丁和苯唑西林纸片扩散法筛查耐甲氧西林的金葡菌（MRSA）,琼脂稀释法检测头孢西丁和苯唑西林的最低抑菌浓度（MIC）。结果在被检测的24种药物中,敏感率〉50%的药物为9种,未发现对万古霉素、替考拉宁和利奈唑胺耐药菌株;耐药率〉50%的抗菌药物有11种,其中以青霉素和氨苄西林的耐药率最高（均为97.1%）。MRSA的分离率达54.5%,且对常用的16种抗菌药物的耐药率均显著高于甲氧西林敏感金黄色葡萄球菌（MSSA）。279株金葡菌中,β-内酰胺酶阳性250株（89.6%）;红霉素耐药而克林霉素敏感或中介的30株中,D试验阳性22株（73.3%）。苯唑西林（OXA）和头孢西丁（FOX）MIC范围分别为0.125～〉256μg/mL和2～〉256μg/mL,苯唑西林的MIC50和MIC90分别为128μg/mL和256μg/mL,头孢西丁的MIC50和MIC90分别为64μg/mL和256μg/mL。结论长沙地区临床分离金葡菌对常用抗菌药物呈多重耐药;MRSA不仅分离率高,而且对甲氧西林呈高水平耐药。     

Immunological Recognition of Fibronectin-Binding Proteins of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus capitis,Strain LK499

Antibodies to fibronectin-binding proteins (FnBPs) of Staphylococcus aureus, including binding domain of FnBPA, the D region, or the A-C regions of FnBPB were produced in rabbits and mice. These antibodies were used to characterize cell-associated FnBPs of S. aureus strain Cowan I, S. aureus strain U320 and a coagulase-negative Staphylococcus capitis strain LK499 as well as extracellular FnBPs in culture supernatants of the strain U320. FnBPs of S. aureus were predominantly FnBPA, while FnBPB was hardly detected on the cells or in culture supernatant of these S. aureus strains. Moreover, S. capitis strain LK499 possessed different FnBP(s) compared to S. aureus because the antibodies to S. aureus FnBPs did not recognize FnBP(s) on S. capitis.     

Characterization of a novel bacteriocin-encoding plasmid found in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus

Plasmids specifying bacteriocin production and immunity to its action were found in three clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus obtained in different hospitals located in Rio de Janeiro. These plasmids (pRJ28, pRJ29 and pRJ30) of 8.0 kb were found to generate identical restriction fragment patterns upon digestion with several enzymes, although the range of strains susceptible to the respective bacteriocin varied among the producer strains, when different Gram-positive bacteria were used as indicators. pRJ29 was then chosen for further characterization in order to compare it with pRJ6 and pRJ9, two small bacteriocin-encoding plasmids previously described in strains isolated from food. pRJ29 was found to code for a bacteriocin with chemical properties (sensitivity to proteases, heat resistance, activity under anaerobiosis, and estimated molecular weight) similar to those of pRJ6-encoded bacteriocin, conferring cross-immunity to it. However, its restriction map differed from those of pRJ6 and pRJ9. These studies together with hybridization, incompatibility, and mobilization analyses using a derivative of pRJ29 tagged with Tn917-lac suggest that pRJ29 is a mosaic composed of genetic determinants found on pRJ6 and pRJ9, and that IS 257 was not involved in the recombination events which gave rise to pRJ29.     

2009—2012年金黄色葡萄球菌血液分离株的临床分布和耐药性研究

目的调查和分析金黄色葡萄球菌败血症患者的临床特点和菌株的耐药情况,为临床诊断和合理用药提供参考。方法收集并分析2009年至2012年血培养确诊为金黄色葡萄球菌败血症患者的临床及菌株资料。结果2009年至2012年金黄色葡萄球菌血液分离株共80株,其中甲氧西林耐药金黄色葡萄球菌（methieillin resistant Staphylococcus,MRSA）占50％。2009年至2011年对甲氧西林的耐药率逐年提高,2012年呈下降趋势。其中MRSA血流感染患者多为合并基础疾病的老年人,留置静脉导管及体腔引流管、气管插管、联合使用抗生素、住院时间长为易感因素。结论金黄色葡萄球菌血液分离株中,MRSA检出率高,占50％,临床表现大多较重,合并多种基础疾病。加强抗生素的管理及重视和预防院内感染后能明显降低MRSA的检出率。     

Cloning and sequencing of the gene, fmtC, which affects oxacillin resistance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Two Tn551 insertional mutants with reduced methicillin resistance were isolated from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus KSA8. These two mutants showed increased susceptibility to beta-lactam antibiotics and bacitracin, but not to fosfomycin and vancomycin. Tn551 in these mutants was inserted into the same gene, termed fmtC. The fmtC gene has an open reading frame of 840 amino acid residues with an estimated molecular mass of 96.9 kDa. The N-terminal half of the deduced FmtC protein is very hydrophobic, implying that this protein is a membrane-associated protein.     

Frequency of nasal and wound isolates of Staphylococcus aureus associated with TSST-1 production in Jordanian population

A total of 110 Staphylococcus aureus isolates were obtained from nasal carriers and wound infections of Jordanian population. The isolates were identified by cultural and biochemical methods. The nasal carrier rate of S. aureus among individuals was 22.7%. In comparison with the nasal S. aureus isolates the wound isolates did not produce significantly more virulence factors except DNase. Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 production was higher among the S. aureus nasal isolates (40%) as compared with the wound isolates (26%) detected by an ELISA method which proved to be uniformly more sensitive than the immunodiffusion optimal sensitivity plate (OSP) method.     

Molecular diversity of live-attenuated prototypic vaccine strains and clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus

Bovine mastitis Staphylococcus aureus isolates and prototypic live-attenuated vaccine strains were analyzed by SmaI pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing and automated ribotyping. The discriminatory index of these methods was 0.91 and 0.69, respectively. SmaI PFGE typing assigned all laboratory strains into cluster Q, which shared 49% similarity with clusters A and B, and 35% similarity with cluster C. Automated ribotyping placed laboratory strains within ribogroups different from those of bovine isolates. These methods have 70% concordance and permitted identification of the prototypic vaccine background from those of clinical isolates. This information is required before conducting field trials with the vaccine.